The FMCSA has amended its pre-trip safety guidance recommending that the motorcoach industry encourage passengers to use lap/shoulder seat belts. This amended guidance is provided in response to National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommendations and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration's (NHTSA) Final Rule published on November 25, 2013 [78 FR 70416] titled, “Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; Occupant Crash Protection.”
As a result of the NHTSA final rule, lap/shoulder seat belts will be required in all new motorcoaches manufactured after November 25, 2016. The driver’s seat will also be required to have a lap/shoulder seat belt in addition to the passenger seating positions. The updated guidance from FMCSA is intended to ensure that passengers are briefed on how to use all onboard safety systems on a motorcoach at the beginning of each trip.
For more information on the guidance, click here.
As an ABA member you have access to ABA’s Motorcoach Passenger Safety Message video the association created in accordance with FMCSA’s guidelines, in addition to printed seatback cards. The video includes the safety message in seven different languages and the cards are also available in Spanish. For more information or to order copies, please click here or you can email ABA at abainfo@buses.org.